Posted on 08/02/2006 10:00:34 AM PDT by abigail2
August 2, 2006
Contact: Ermias Alemayehu (323) 782-1980 / (213) 804-1872
Where’s The Compassion for Mel Gibson?
LOS ANGELES- Since Mel Gibson’s arrest for suspicion of drunk driving last week, liberal Jewish leaders and most of the media have condemned him for uttering anti-Jewish slurs. On two occasions Gibson has since offered apologies and asked forgiveness from the Jewish community—but some in the media are still not satisfied. Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson, Founder and President of BOND (Brotherhood Organization of a New Destiny) issued a statement today calling for Gibson’s detractors to “have compassion” for the star. Below is Rev. Peterson’s statement in its entirety regarding this issue:
“I am sorry that Mel Gibson and his family are going through this difficult period. Gibson absolutely did the right thing by offering a heartfelt apology and asking for forgiveness from the Jewish community—he’s even asked to meet with Jewish leaders. To those who will not be satisfied until Gibson is destroyed—I say ‘shame on you. Where’s your humanity?’
“Now there appears to be an orchestrated campaign by some Hollywood insiders and media to personally destroy Gibson. These same people opposed Gibson’s blockbuster ‘The Passion of the Christ’ which despite opposition from liberals was a huge hit among audiences. These ‘smear merchants’ are using this incident to get back at Gibson. It’s time that people accept his apology and move on.
“Had this been a liberal struggling with a similar addiction—these same people would be calling for understanding—so where’s the compassion for Mel Gibson? Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, and Louis Farrakhan have all made anti-Jewish remarks in the past with little public condemnation. But God help you if you make a highly successful movie about Jesus Christ and then succumb to alcoholism. This is another example of selective outrage practiced by liberal hypocrites. So much for liberal compassion.”
BOND (Brotherhood Organization of a New Destiny) is a nationally recognized nonprofit organization whose mission is “rebuilding the family by rebuilding the man.” Rev. Peterson is the author of SCAM: How the Black Leadership Exploits Black America. For more information visit BOND
You are receiving this communication because you asked to receive information via email from BOND. If you have received this email in error or would like to be removed from the email list, please send an email to frontdesk@bondinfo.org
So he doesn't like jews as a group because of what some people, including some jews, said about his father? Well, thanks. I guess you're just confirming that he's a bigot, only a bigot with an excuse. I'm not sure that helps him much, though.
All I can say is that I was a huge fan of his until this. I'd be as blind to reality as your average liberal if this didn't change my opinion, though.
How do you know what is really inside Mel's mind ? This is how you create hatred against yourself, by blaming someone of something you can't be sure of.
Weren't you the guy who just said "Sure he has issues with jews" in your last post? Evidently, you thought his comments were pointed enough for you to reach that conclusion. I'm just tagging along.
His prior reputation was pretty much irrelevant for people who already hated him, and this incident won't make much of a difference in their opinions of him (other than to give them something concrete to point to).
Where his reputation mattered was to people who liked him (such as myself) and are now very disappointed in him. That doesn't mean I'll stop liking his past movies (Braveheart is one of my favorites, and Mel well-deserved his Oscar for directing it). Nor does it mean I'll boycott his future movies; I look forward to seeing them if they're good.
But my opinion of Mel's character has taken a big hit, and it will be awhile before it recovers. I think a lot of other people feel the same way. Mel is fortunate that he has enough money that he can keep making movies, even if he has to finance them himself, because otherwise I think he'd have a very tough time getting projects in the near future.
Mel's apology was a good start, but it's still going to take time to heal his self-inflicted wound.
I really think this is being blown out of proportion because of his fathers views and that Mel won't trash his own dad in public.
What apology?
"Hollywood actor Mel Gibson has defended his father over claims he made about the scale of the Holocaust.
Hutton Gibson has publicly doubted that six million Jews died during the World War II.
In an interview with Reader's Digest, Braveheart star Mel said he would not hear any criticism of his father.
"My dad taught me my faith and I believe what he taught me. The man never lied to me in his life," he said, when asked about Hutton's controversial comments.
Source: http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-12985017,00.html
I wouldn't argue with you on that. I'm sure there are plenty in the MSM who just LOVE being able to stick it to Mel. I personally don't think this has any relevant to the worth of the work he's done in the past, including the Passion.
On the other hand, whether the MSM overplays this or not doesn't change what Mel actually said. And when I read what he said, it makes my stomach sink. I just can't defend or excuse it. I hate bigotry as much as I hate the Left.
Mel knows he must now show the other side of the story as well as he did "The Passion". Given his background and family, I would not care to be in his shoes.
As a profoundly spiritual man, his sense of duty will eventually destroy him if he trys to shirk this ultimate duty to God.
So far his half measures are not even close. So he drinks! I can only imagine his agony, but would recommend "Sailor Jerry's" fine navy rum, It is downright anesthesizing. Cheers Mel!
Well, what his dad said never was of any concern to me. I didn't judge him by his dad's words, only his own. That's why I'm very disappointed and honestly quite surprised at this story.
Now that's clear, I'll say that I'm in total agreement w/ your post. I went through a "rough patch" about two and a half years ago and have subsequently straightened my life out. Thanks mainly to Mrs. Gandalf. I probably would not have made it w/out her.
Regards,
GtG
What Mr. Gibson said was mildly racist (as are the comments about Asians and Africans/African descended people), but still are protected by the first amendment. he didn't call for the murder of people. he shouldn't have made such rude comments (as the freepers also shouldn't have), but he was DRUNK. it isn't probable that the freepers were.
Did the media call for an apology from the Jewish leaders when they slammed Mel for "The Passion"?
Maybe you could start by telling us if you've ever driven while over the legal limit?
And, if not, Congratulations, you're one of the two dozen adults in the country who hasn't.
Any criticism directed at Gibson should also be directed at anyone who's done anything similar, and with the same intensity.
He did something wrong, but the only reason the condemnations will not stop is that he created the movie "the Passion", and the left will not forgive him for it.
Besides, the left gets more upset over WORDS than over ACTIONS.
No offense, but nothing Gibson said was "racist".
Jews are not a "race".
Christians are not a "race"
And if you dislike Mexicans, for example, its not "racism" its xenophobia.
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